Transdermal drug delivery applicators

Abstract

An iontophoretic device is taught which is positionable on skin of a recipient. An insulating member includes therethrough at least one reservoir containing a drug between outer and inner (recipientwise) electrodes adhered to surfaces of the insulating member. The inner electrode preferably is spaced from a rim of the drug reservoir by the same distance as the depth and width of the reservoir. The electrodes are connected to field generating means which draw the ionic drug into the patient and outward from the rim of the reservoir.

We claim: 
     
       1. An iontophoretic device comprising in combination: an insulator member having an inner surface adapted to be positionable in juxtaposed relationship to skin of a recipient; at least one reservoir formed in the insulating member and including an opening in the inner surface and containing an ionic drug and terminating in a rim formed at the opening in the inner surface;   an outer electrode positioned outward from the inner surface and in contact with the drug;   an inner electrode provided on the inner surface of the insulating member and spaced away from the rim of the reservoir;   the rim of the reservoir and the inner electrode defining a gap therebetween;   the electrodes being connectable to a field generating means for energizing the electrode to draw the drug from the outer electrode in the field toward the inner electrode into the skin of the recipient;   the reservoir having a forked configuration; and   the inner electrode having a forked configuration complementary to that of the reservoir.   
     
     
       2. The iontophoretic device in claim 1 with the reservoir having a predetermined depth measured from the outer electrode to the inner surface, and   with the width of the gap substantially equal to the depth.   
     
     
       3. The iontophoretic devise of claim 1 with the insulating member comprising a flat plate having an outer surface, the reservoir passing completely through the insulating member from the outer surface to the inner surface,   the outer electrode adhered to the outer surface, and   the inner electrode adhered on the inner surface.   
     
     
       4. An iontophoretic device comprising in combination: an insulator member having an inner surface adapted to be positionable in juxtaposed relationship to skin of a recipient;   at least one reservoir formed in the insulating member and including an opening in the inner surface and containing an ionic drug and terminating in a rim formed at the opening in the inner surface;   an outer electrode positioned outward from the inner surface and in contact with the drug;   an inner electrode provided on the inner surface of the insulating member and spaced away from the rim of the reservoir;   the rim of the reservoir and the inner electrode defining a gap therebetween;   the electrodes being connectable to a field generating means for energizing the electrodes to draw the drug from the outer electrode in the field toward the inner electrode into the skin of the recipient;   both the reservoir and the inner electrode having mating outwardly spiralling configurations.   
     
     
       5. The iontophoretic device in claim 4 with the reservoir having a predetermined depth measured from the outer electrode to the inner surface, and   with the width of the gap substantially equal to the depth.   
     
     
       6. The iontophoretic device of claim 4 with the insulating member comprising a flat plate having an outer surface, the reservoir passing completely through the insulating member from the outer surface to the inner surface,   the outer electrode adhered to the outer surface, and   the inner electrode adhered on the inner surface.